Improvement in hoisting-svjachines



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Improvement in Hoisting-Machnes.

Umane Smarts @maar @rr-rea WILLIAM NEAL, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN HOISTING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,978, (lated April 23, 1872.

I, WILLIAM NEAL, of the city of Louisville, county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in a Hoisting-Machine for the use of warehouses and other similar purposes, of which the following is a specification:

The first part `of my invention relates more especially to the drum that winds the rope, and also the manner in which the rope is used -upon it. The object of this part of my invention is to provide a safe and easy means by which the platform can be raised or lowered, without danger from accident, as is often the case, where the old style of friction-rubber and other complicated fixtures are used in lowering the platform, or preventing it from running down too fast, when operated by a person not accustomed to its use 5 but, in my machine I use none of such fixtures, from the fact that the platform is always balanced, and will remain at rest at any point at which it may be stopped, and can only be raised or lowered by means of the rope over the purchase-wheel by which itis operated. This rope is always at hand, and requires but limited skill to use it, the platform being at all times balanced without the use of extra weights as are commonly used on the old style of machines, and can only be moved by applying power to the rope on the purchase-wheel. The second part of my invention relates to the combination of additional gearing at the end of the rope-drums, which is only intended to be used when it becomes necessary to raise heavy loads; and consists in a large spur-wheel on the end of the drum-shaft, with a small pinion working in the under side, by which it is driven. This pinion has but two cogs or rounds, cut through in the center, between them, so that the cogs of the large wheel will pass through beyond the pitchline, so as to form a perfect lock that will cause the machine to stand at any point that it may be stopped without danger of running down. The shaft of this last-named pinion extends out at the side sumcient to receive a large sheave-pulley or purchase-wheel for the rope, by which it is operated. The above-named gearing may be used at either end of the drumshaft, or on separate shafts or drums, or in any suitable manner. The third part of my invention consists in the manner of 'attaching the rope to the platform frame, which is .done by means of a piece of iron working loose on the pin which secures it to the frame. This piece of iron is turned up at the ends, and is provided with small sheaves, under which the hoistingrope works when the platform is hung to it 5 but, this last-named piece of iron may be dispensed with and a large sheave substituted, and fastened to the platform in a similar mauner. The fourth part of my invention relates to a device for preventing accidents, which consists in two or more small steel catches placed in long mortises in each side of the frame of `the platform, as shown in Fig. 2, a drawing from the small model. These catches are made somewhat in the form of a wedge, about six or more inches long, and nearly the width of the groove in the upright frame in which they work, and are hung in the frame by a bolt through the upper end, so as to work loose. On the inside of these catches, about two or more inches below the bolt, there is a short projection or arm extending inside ofthe frame, to which a small iron rod is attached, extending up and fastened to a piece of wood across the top of the platform frame, between which and the cross-piece under it there is a spring, through which the main bolt passes loosely, so that it' the main pin or any other part should give way so as to take the weight of the spring it would then force the catches into the wood of the slides, and prevent the platform from running down-the catches being made sharp at the ends so as to enter the wood readily.

Having thus fully described the nature and object of my invention, a vmore thorough understanding of which may be had by reference to the drawing- Figure l is a perspective view of the machine complete, showing the rope-drums, and how the rope is used thereon. Fig. 2 is a view taken from the small model, showin g the safetycatches, when used inthe sides of the frame of the platform,.but not shown in the large model.

In the drawing, A A are the slides or frame of the machine, all of which is made of wood, constructed much similar to those now in common use. B B are the small sheaves on the side of the frame at the bottom, and over which the operating-rope works. G is the platform,

which is also made of wood in the usual man-' ner. D D are the guide-rollers on top of the frame. E is a piece of iron secured by a bolt to the top of the platform frame, so as to turn on the bolt, the lower end of which bolt is also intended to pass through andtake hold of the cross-piece under the spring, as shown in Fig. 2. F F are small sheaves in the ends of the iron piece above, under which the hoisting apparatus works when the platform is hung to it. O 0 are safety-catches in the side of the platform frame. l? l? are the iron rods of the catches. Q, is the wooden cross-piece above, to which they are attached. It is the spring over it. Gr is the hoisting-drums, all of which are made of wood, and keyed on an iron shaft; one-half of this drum is made much smaller than the other, and it is by means of this difference in size that motion is given to raise the platform. The required speed or power may be regulated by simply increasing or dimishing this difference. When the rope is arranged on the several drums so that one end is fastened to the large drum while the other is passed under the sheaves F F, on top of the platform, thence carried up and fastened to the small drum on the same side as that of the rst, or otherwise, so that when the rope unwinds from one drum of a given size or speed it is taken up by another of a different size or speed, thereby giving inotion to the platform 5 and, from th e fact th at both ends of the rope are fastened to the drum, it would be impossible for the platform to run down by accident, it being at all times balanced, and not-liable to get out of order; but, it is not intended that the drums above-named should at all times be used on one shaft, but may be used on separate shafts, or in any other suitable manner; and instead of the ropes being fastened to the drums, after taking a few turns, the ends may be taken and attached to a windlass or horse-power, in order to apply power in that manner to operate the machine. H is the hoisting-rope. I is a large spur-wheel at the end of the drums. J is the pinion by which it is operated; this pinion hasonly two cogs or rounds, supported by a head on the end, the central part between the cogs being entirely cut out, so as to permit the cogs of the large wheel to pass through beyond the center of the pinion, thereby forming a lock that will hold the platform at any point that it may be stopped, without danger of running down by accident. This last-namedwheel and pinion is only intended to be used when additional power becomes necessary, in order to raise heavy loads, and when not required is thrown out of gear and dispensed with. Kis thepurchase-wheel, by which the pinion J is operated. L is a movable piece of wood to which the shaft is attached. M is the main purchase-wheel on the end of the drum-shaft; this wheel may be made either of woodor iron, and may be of any suitable size, the face being grooved out similar to a sheave, and large enough for the rope to pass around double, if necessary. N is the rope by which it is operated; therefore- I make no claim to the frame or platform of the machine, for I am aware that these are not new; but

I cla-im as my invention- 1. The hoistingdrums G, of different diameters, keyed to the same shaft, and each carrying an end of the rope, wound in opposite direc-tions, so that one end of the rope is wound while the other is unwound, in combination with the pivoted cross-piece E, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The pinion J, constructed as described, in combination with wheels I and K, for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM NEAL.

Witnesses:

E. F. HUYCK, W. F. CLARKE. 

